DARREN CLARKE, Brian Davis and Colin Montgomerie were all still in with a chance of winning the Nissan Open when they woke up in Los Angeles today.

But they also knew they might not get that chance.

The £2.5million US Tour event should have finished yesterday, but because of rain only two of the four rounds had been completed and so the 75 players who survived the cut were told to be ready for an early-morning resumption today.

Clarke and Davis are in joint third place on eight under par, only one shot behind leaders Adam Scott and Chad Campbell.

Montgomerie is in a tie for fifth on seven under following a brilliant best-of-the-week 64 that was also the lowest round he has ever produced in America.

The problem for all three was that the fore-cast for today was for violent thunderstorms and if proved accurate the already-saturated Riviera Country Club was likely to be declared unplayable.

If so, the position after 36 holes would stand and Scott and Campbell would go into a sudden death play-off - weather permitting.

"I'm one behind. I want to play," commented Clarke, who on Wednesday is playing compatriot Graeme McDowell in the first round of the Accenture world match play down the Californian coast in San Diego. Again, weather permitting.

Davis, who has not qualified for that tournament but does have the Chrysler Classic of Tucson starting on Thursday, said: "I hope we can play the third round, but I fear I may be one shot short."

Both were eight under with two to play yesterday, but could not get the birdie they needed to be alongside Campbell and Scott. Clarke's four-iron to the 18th flew too far - "I killed it," he said - while Davis reckoned his four-iron to the ninth was a foot short of being perfect.